SpaceX’s latest fleet of satellites has been struck by a solar storm and reported to be tumbled out of orbit. Around 40 out of the small satellites were launched by SpaceX last week. These satellites either re-entered the atmosphere and burned up or were on the way to re-enter the atmosphere. The Company has informed through an online update on Tuesday night. The space company has mentioned this incident as unique for them.
SpaceX described it as Unique Situation
The loss of around 40 Starlink satellites was described as a “Unique Situation” by the company. SpaceX released a statement regarding the geomagnetic storm. The company stated that geomagnetic storms made the atmosphere denser that has increased the drag on satellites. The storm has effectively doomed the satellites. SpaceX said that this kind of solar storm is caused by intense solar activity like flares. Flares can send streams of plasma from the sun’s corona toward Earth.
As per the statement released by SpaceX, the ground controllers tried hard to save the satellites by putting them into a type of hibernation and flying them in a way to minimize drag and they failed to do so. The atmospheric pressure was too great that satellites failed to awaken and climb to a higher orbit and more stable orbit in time.
SpaceX has 2000 Starlink satellites orbiting Earth
Elon Musk’s company has first launched its Starlink satellites in 2019. He has the vision to launch thousands of satellites to increase internet service across the world. Currently, with these newly launched and falling satellites SpaceX was trying to restore the internet service in Tonga that has been devastated due to massive volcanic eruptions and tsunamis.
The company has around 2000 Starlink satellites orbiting the Earth. These Starlink satellites provide internet service to remote corners of the world. These satellites circle the Earth for more than 550 kilometers. The satellites that were hit by the solar storm were in a temporary position. SpaceX had knowingly kept these satellites in a lower orbit so that in case of any fault they can re-enter the atmosphere quickly and will not posses any threat to other spacecraft.
As per the Company, there is no danger from these falling satellites either in orbit or on the ground. Each satellite has a weight of 260 kilograms.